Medical devices having full or partial polymer coatings and their methods of manufacture

Abstract

Medical devices for insertion into the body of human or veterinary patients, wherein the device comprises a) a working element (e.g. a wire, a guidewire, a tube, a catheter, a cannula, a scope (e.g., rigid or flexible endoscope, laparoscope, sigmoidoscope, cystoscope, etc.) a probe, an apparatus for collecting information from a location within the body (e.g., an electrode, sensor, camera, scope, sample withdrawal apparatus, biopsy or tissue sampling device, etc.) which has an outer surface and b) a continuous or non-continuous coating on the outer surface of the working element. The outer surface of the working element is prepared to create a surface topography which promotes mechanical or frictional engagement of the coating to the working element. In some embodiments the coating is a lubricious coating, such as a fluorocarbon coating or a hydrogel that becomes lubricious when contacted by a liquid. In some embodiments, the coating may expand as swell. Also disclosed as methods for manufacturing such devices.

Description

RELATED INVENTION[0001]This patent application claims priority to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 177,651 filed on Jun. 20, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 299,645 filed on Jun. 20, 2001, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to biomedical devices and methods for manufacturing biomedical devices and more particularly to biomedical devices that have full or partial polymer coatings and their methods of manufacture.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Medical instruments are frequently coated with various polymers to reduce sliding friction (e.g. by lubricity) and provide other performance enhancing characteristics. Obtaining adequate adherence of the polymer coating to the instrument substrate is a problem in many instances and particularly when a hydrogel is coated on a metal substrate.[0004]Various hydrophylic and hydrophobic polymer coatings and their methods of application ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a new way to coat medical instruments with a polymer coating that adheres to the instrument's surface. The coating is applied by a process that deteriorates the coating's ability to slide over the instrument's surface, creating a strong bond that is resistant to separation. The coating can be applied using a chemical adhesive or an adhesive called a tie layer. The coating can be made lubricious or have a low coefficient of friction, and it can be used with various medical devices such as wires, guidewalls, catheters, and endoscopes. The coating can be formed in a continuous or non-continuous manner, and it can be made radioopaque. The invention provides a safer and more effective way to coat medical instruments for use in the body.

Problems solved by technology

Obtaining adequate adherence of the polymer coating to the instrument substrate is a problem in many instances and particularly when a hydrogel is coated on a metal substrate.

However, Schwartz et al. does not describe the coating to be integral to the wall of the device or there being any sort of interlock or other improved attachment of the coating.

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